Different Cellular Localization of NF-[kappa]B p65 Expression as an Indicator of Different Prognoses of Stage I-III Gastric Cancer Patients

Background Nuclear factor-[kappa]B p65 (NF-[kappa]B p65) may play a significant role as a biomarker in tumor progression and metastasis. However, the correlation between cellular localization of NF-[kappa]B p65 expression and the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients has not been studied. The present study was designed to investigate the location of NF-[kappa]B p65 expression in GC, and evaluate its correlation with clinicopathological parameters of GC patients. Methods NF-[kappa]B p65 expressions in GC tissue and corresponding nonmalignant tissue from gastrectomy of 115 stage I-III GC patients were detected by immunohistochemistry. In addition, correlations between the staining results and the clinicopathologic features and survival of the GC patients were analyzed. Results The percentage of NF-[kappa]B p65 expression in GC tissue and the corresponding nonmalignant tissue was 73.9% and 46.80%, respectively. No significant correlation was found between NF-[kappa]B p65 expression and the clinicopathologic parameters. Cox univariate analysis indicated that both nuclear staining and cytoplasmic staining of NF-[kappa]B p65 expression correlated with the prognosis of GC patients (log-rank, p = 0.0182; p = 0.0144, respectively). Conclusion High nuclear expression of NF-[kappa]B p65 is an independent prognostic marker predicting a better survival, while high cytoplasmic staining indicates a worse prognosis of GC patients. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]